Attending SAGE

SAGE, Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience. Student group playing the board game "Catan" outdoors at a picnic table surrounded by trees.

Program Timing

If you’re an accepted participant to SAGE, we look forward to seeing you for all virtual and in-person touch points throughout the hybrid program.

  • Mid-May to mid-June: Before SAGE field camp begins, students will participate in 3 to 4 weeks of part-time virtual activities—including introductory meetings and material discussions

  • Mid-June to early July: In-person SAGE field camp in Los Alamos, NM—including lectures, group projects, and final presentations

  • Mid-July to early August: After the in-person camp ends, volunteer students will continue research activities

  • A full course schedule and details will be provided with acceptance letters

Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico in brown with a red star indicating its location.

Field Camp Location

Northern New Mexico
USA

SAGE participants will spend approximately 2.5 weeks at a campground in the Jemez Mountains near Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA—participating in fieldwork, group activities, and lectures.

Travel to SAGE

All participants are asked to make their own travel arrangements to New Mexico in mid-June. The closest major airport is Albuquerque, NM (ABQ).  Detailed logistics will follow with SAGE acceptance letters.

SAGE Course Fees

Following acceptance into SAGE, participants will pay a $1,000 USD registration fee. This fee is used to help pay for food, materials, and accommodations throughout your time at SAGE. A limited number of grants are available.

Pay Course Fee
SAGE, Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience. People sitting around a campfire at night outdoors.

SAGE Participant Information and
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General

  • You may be able to use SAGE for college credit by enrolling in an independent study course at your home institution. Please check with your academic advisor and make arrangements for this prior to attending SAGE. Following completion of the SAGE program, the faculty will provide a suggested grade to your home institution based on your final report, presentation, and performance throughout the program.

  • SAGE specific details will be provided with your acceptance letters. Generally, we ask that all participants arrive in Los Alamos, NM in mid-June with arrangements to depart New Mexico in early July.

Travel

  • If you know ahead of time that you will be arriving late, please contact SAGE immediately so alternate arrangements can be made.

    summerofappliedgeophysics@gmail.com

  • No. SAGE participants are responsible for arranging and paying for all travel to and from Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA.

  • We advise against bringing personal vehicles to SAGE, as campground parking is limited. Please contact the camp manager ASAP if you are thinking about driving to SAGE.

    summerofappliedgeophysics@gmail.com

    Note that personal vehicles cannot be used for field work and must be left unattended at the campground during the day.

Camping and Meals

  • We are staying at a public, front-country campground in Bandelier National Monument, NM. The campground has running water, pit toilets, picnic tables, and shade shelters. The outfitters provide food and general camp support. Additional security is provided by the campground hosts.

  • Yes. SAGE provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every day of the program. We ask that participants notify the faculty ahead of time if they have any allergies, dietary restrictions, or food preferences so that we may inform the food service staff in advance.

  • Yes. While we are camping, we will have a secure location available for you to store your laptop and other valuables.

  • If you absolutely must receive mail while we are camping, please contact SAGE ahead of time so special arrangements can be made.

    summerofappliedgeophysics@gmail.com

What to Bring

  • Please see the complete packing list on this page. SAGE requests that all students bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and other personal equipment for the camping portion of the program. If you do not own some of the required items, we recommend the following solutions:

    • Borrow equipment from friends, family, and/or fellow students prior to arrival

    • Rent equipment from an outdoor supply store ahead of time

    • Contact the SAGE at least one month prior to SAGE to arrange for an equipment rental through the camp outfitter: summerofappliedgeophysicals@gmail.com

  • If you would like to buy camping equipment after you arrive in New Mexico, please make arrangements to do so before the start of SAGE.

    summerofappliedgeophysicals@gmail.com

  • You are welcome to bring these items for use on the geologic field trips or during your free time. These items will not be required for the SAGE field work.

    If you choose to bring a rock hammer, please remember to put it in your checked baggage.

SAGE Gear List

Download the Gear List
Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE). Two people, one in a white t-shirt and the other in a plaid shirt, stand outdoors near a green tent, looking at and pointing to a large geological map on a board hanging between trees.

Important Note

We encourage participants that do not already own camping equipment to ask friends, family, and/or fellow students for items to loan before purchasing new gear just for SAGE!

Select outdoor suppliers (eg, REI) will rent camping equipment. The SAGE outfitters also have a limited supply of spare camping equipment available on a first-come, first-served basis. The outfitters will only bring spare camping equipment if requested, so you must contact SAGE faculty at least a month in advance if you would like to reserve equipment from the outfitter. 

Please send gear request and proof of health insurance to summerofappliedgeophysics@gmail.com.

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